L.A. police chief fires officer in beating

LOS ANGELES - The police chief on Friday fired an officer who was videotaped last year beating a suspected car thief with a flashlight.

Police Chief William Bratton agreed with last month's recommendation by the department's Board of Rights that John Hatfield be dismissed for using unnecessary force.

Hatfield struck the suspect 11 times with a flashlight after a high-speed chase on June 23, 2004. The suspect, Stanley Miller, was down on the ground, with officers swarming around him, when Hatfield hit him.

Hatfield, who is Hispanic, was videotaped by television news cameras hitting Miller, who is black. No other officers struck Miller but the incident drew comparisons to the 1991 videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King.

The district attorney's office declined to file criminal charges against Hatfield, citing lack of evidence.

A message left with Michael Stone, an attorney who has represented Hatfield, was not immediately returned.

In a letter sent to Bratton on Thursday, Stone requested a stay of the board's decision, saying "nobody who knew much about the true facts of this case, or about John, expected him to be removed."

Four other officers who were at the scene received unpaid suspensions ranging from four to 15 days. A fifth officer was placed on paid home assignment pending a Board of Rights hearing.

In January, Bratton pushed through a new policy prohibiting officers from using their flashlights as weapons except in emergency situations.

Send that idiot, Bratton, out onto the streets of LA with only a gun and one of those Nerf flashlights, and see how many dead bodies turn up.

I have my fullsize Maglight in my hand everytime I get out of my car, day or night, and it's a comfort to me. Might even have to use it as an impact weapon someday.

You have to put it on paper well to cover your ass. Especially with the proliferation of cameras.

2 posted on 08/06/2005 12:13:52 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (You can turn your head away from the Berg video and still hear Al Queda's calls to prayer.)

Attencion Por Favor

3 posted on 08/06/2005 12:14:58 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (You can turn your head away from the Berg video and still hear Al Queda's calls to prayer.)

Hatfield, who is Hispanic

This country is in trouble when you can't know anything from a name anymore.

4 posted on 08/06/2005 6:47:08 AM PDT by LoneRangerMassachusetts (Some say what's good for others, the others make the goods; it's the meddlers against the peddlers)

I have my fullsize Maglight in my hand everytime

Thats a flashlight, right? 8>)

Was Bratton ever a street cop? He sure makes for a "good" political appeaser.

5 posted on 08/06/2005 8:56:21 AM PDT by Horatio Gates (Fatiser Visus)

Thats a flashlight, right? 8>)

I know you use your pepsodent smile to illuminate your surroundings but I'm stuck with a flashlight.

It doubles a bottle opener because it pops tops so well.

6 posted on 08/06/2005 11:57:48 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (You can turn your head away from the Berg video and still hear Al Queda's calls to prayer.)

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